Katana VentraIP

Conceptual history

Conceptual history (also the history of concepts or, from German, Begriffsgeschichte) is a branch of historical and cultural studies that deals with the historical semantics of terms. It sees the etymology and the change in meaning of terms as forming a crucial basis for contemporary cultural, conceptual and linguistic understanding. Conceptual history deals with the evolution of paradigmatic ideas and value systems over time, such as "liberty" or "reform". It argues that social history – indeed all historical reflection – must begin with an understanding of historically contingent cultural values and practices in their particular contexts over time, not merely as unchanging ideologies or processes.

History of ideas

Jus commune

by Birger Hjørland

"Begriffsgeschichte" (History of concepts)

CONCEPTA – International Research School in Conceptual History and Political Thought

Centre of Excellence in Political Thought and Conceptual Change, University of Jyväskylä

Contributions to the History of Concepts Website

Archived 2018-09-19 at the Wayback Machine by Anders Hassing

What is Conceptual History? CLEAR Project

Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sul Lessico Politico e Giuridico Europeo (CIRLPGE)